Steroid Terms, Dictionary of Weightlifting and Bodybuilding

Active Ingredient

The active component of any chemical compound. The chemical name for the active part of the medicine.

Active Life

The period the drug is working (active) in the human body.

ADP (Adenosine Diphospate)

ADP is created when ATP is broken down within mitochondrion of cells providing energy. ADP must be combined with creatine, for recreating ATP and restoring cellular energy stores phosphate.

Anabolism

Assimilation or constructive metabolism presented by the building of tissue into more multiplex living matter, mostly muscle. It is the actual building process of muscle tissues. It occurs through the introduction of erogenous supports or through natural own reactions to muscular work and the body’s proper nutrition. Anabolism also occurs by taking chemical substances from the blood, which are necessary for repair and growth and using them to promote reactions producing tissue synthesis.

Anabolic

Makes reference to promoting anabolism or growth.

Anabolic Steroid (AS / Androgenic- AAS)

Synthetic version of the main male hormone – testosterone. Anabolic Steroids forwards male characteristics and anabolism, speed up protein synthesis, increase muscle mass and strength, and reduce catabolism. Steroids also affect many other parts of the body not only on muscles.

Androgen

Every steroid hormone, which promotes male characteristics.

Aromatization

The process when the body converts testosterone and other anabolic steroids into estrogen is named aromatization. The on take of feminine characteristics or feminization after a steroid cycle due to the high estrogen levels in the body. Taking Nolvadex will prevent this.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

Adenosine-5′-triphosphate or ATP is a chemical agent used to store and release energy in the muscle tissue. The molecule is found in the mitochondria of cells. When energy is required, ATP is broken down to ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and AMP (adenosine monophosphate) and free phosphate group donors to provide this energy. This is the case in muscle cells that need energy in order to contract. ATP can be thought of as the actual fuel that makes muscles move.

Atrophy

Refers to a state of decreasing or wasting away usually within bodily organ or the muscle due to a lack of health or use.

Brand Name

The trade name given by manufacture to a particular active ingredient / steroid.

Catabolic

The reverse of anabolic, which means breakdown of muscle tissue. Catabolic states may occur with infection, disease, intense training, strict dieting, injury and immobilisation.

Catabolism

A complicated metabolic process when energy is released for use in energy storage, work or heat production by the destruction of complex substances. Mostly muscles are broken down when an athlete is in a catabolic state however the use of steroids will help to avoid it.

CEE (Creatine Ethyl Ester)

Refers to subsidiary product of the nutritional supplement creatine.

Cholesterol

A greasy substance which was found in animals that performs many essential functions and is synthesized by the adrenal cortex and the liver.

Complete Protein

Refers to a protein source which includes all vital amino acids

Cortisol

Cortisol, also known as hydrocortisone, is a steroid hormone released from the adrenal gland and is involved in the immune response to infection or injury and in inflammation control. Possessing these functions it is a catabolic hormone in the human body. Controling cortisol levels may help athletes avoid excess muscle breakdown.

Creatine

Nitric organic acid, which is naturally produced in our bodies as an energy supplier. Creatine is manufactured in the kidneys, liver and pancreas and released into blood to supply tissue and especially muscles with energy. Creatine is a nitrogenous compound that produces ATP, when combined with phosphate. Systematic chemical name is methylguanido-acetic acid (C4H9N3O2), formed from the amino acids methionine, arginine and glycine.

Cutting

Cycle

The time when a certain supplement or drug is taken in prescribed dosages and for a period of time. There are short cycles ( up to 4-5 weeks) and long term cycles (3-4 months). It is advised as time off cycle would be less than time spent on a steroid cycle.

Deficiency

A low level of one or several nutrients that are vital for robust health. Deficiency of one or several nutrients may be caused by increased body demands, poor nutrition or both.

DHT Conversion (Dihydrotestosterone)

Dihydrotestosterone is one of main male hormones in the human body. It is a very similar chemical sibling- testosterone and has essential purposes in the body. It is liable for the sexual differentiation that even occurs in the womb before the birth. Dihydrotestosterone levels determine whether the embryo will become a female or male. DHT is the strongest androgen and it’s responsible for the all male secondary sexual characteristics such as male hair patterns on the body, deepening of the vocal chords, hair on the face, greasy skin, and last but not least function and sexual drive

Diuretic

Refers to any product that raises the volume of urine excreted by the human body. Natural diuretics are caffeine and alcohol, but there are also many other medical diuretics.

DOMS (Delayed onset muscle soreness)

DOMS, also called muscle fever, refers to discomfort and pain often felt around 5-72 hours after workout in a certain muscle group. As you probably know it is caused by tiny tears in the muscle tissue.

Elemental Nutrition

Nutrition made up solely of simplest elements of nutrition like monosaccharides, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, fatty acids.

Endogenous

Refers to things and processes that are growing or produced naturally in the body, i.e. endogenous (own/natural) testosterone production.